Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/46

40 must avenge my father's death". Then he turned to his ministers and said "Good sirs, tell me how I may consume with fire Takshaka the snake prince as he consumed King Parikshit my father with his poison." The ministers answered, "O my King, from our ancient books it is laid down how to hold a snake sacrifice. And by holding such a sacrifice you will surely consume Prince Takshaka and the snake people, just as Prince Takshaka consumed King Parikshit with his poison." On hearing this answer King Janamejaya ordered that the Brahmans of the Kingdom should hold a snake sacrifice according to the rites written in the ancient books. The Brahmans, so ordered, measured out a vast piece of land and on it they reared a mighty sacrificial platform. When the appointed day broke, the Brahmans seated themselves upon the platform, and King Janamejaya placed near them a great store of wealth which should be their reward.

The Brahmans robed themselves in black garments and kindled a fire. When the fire had begun to burn brightly the Brahmans poured ghee on the flames until the flames turned to smoke and into the smoke they muttered strange spells. And the spells had power over the snake people and their hearts turned to water within them. Then the Brahmans poured more ghee on the flames and called on the chiefs and princes of the snake people by their names. And the spells of the Brahmans began to draw the snake people towards the fire. And although the chiefs and princes among the snake people hid themselves in the lakes and rivers and seas and in their agony coiled themselves round trees and stones and mountain tops, yet the spells drew them one by one towards the fire. And forced by the spells they one